About the collaboration

The works in this collection are the result of a creative collaboration which took place in April 2022, between Catherine Ward and Brett Lethbridge at Catherine’s studio on Geelong. Having purchased a “Family’ series painting from Brett at the 2007 Melbourne Art Fair, Catherine proposed that they join forces to produce a set of sculptural pieces on this theme.

Concepts of ‘home’ and ‘family’ come together in both the form and surface treatment of these porcelain works. The utilitarian nature of the vessels alludes to their common use in domestic spaces while the applied, linear designs depict the daily realities of the lives of the families that live in them. The highs and lows of domestic life are depicted playfully in the cartoon language so familiar to parents of young families, resonating with those who recognise their own stories in the pieces.

Catherine Ward Bio

Catherine Ward creates and fires hand built, sculptural stoneware ceramics in her home studio in Geelong, Victoria.

Employing a variety of hand building methods to establish form, the surfaces of Catherine’s works are then finished with hand painted underglaze detail, sgraffito, mono printing, water etching or sculptural details.

While her sculptural vessels make joyful reference to the original clay forms of classical Greece, the surface treatments Catherine then applies to them reflect an array of contemporary influences including street art, vintage signs, and black and white photography. While Catherine’s mark making continues over time to become ever more expressive and intuitive, the surface patina, imperfections, and texture characteristic of her work remain an important feature of her pieces.

In a natural extension of her affection for Brett Lethbridge’s ‘Family’ series of paintings, Catherine has brought her own love of contrast, balance, line and pattern to this joyful collaboration.

Exhibitions:

2022, Brunswick St Small Works Art Prize (group exhibition), Brunswick St Gallery, Fitzroy, Victoria

2021, ‘Breaking out Creatively’ (group exhibition) Artisans of Australia, Drysdale, Victoria

2019, ‘Fired Earth’ (group exhibition) Art Space, Anglesea, Victoria

Awards:

2022, Finalist North Queensland Ceramic Awards 2022, Townsville Queensland

2021, Finalist Biblio Art Prize 2021, Blarney Books and Art, Port Fairy, Victoria

2020, Finalist (Highly Commended) Biblio Art Prize 2020, Blarney Books and Art, Port Fairy, Victoria.

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